Sisters of mercy visit Metropolitan Theodosy under arrest

Sisters of mercy visited Metropolitan Theodosy. Photo: cherkasy.church.ua

In Cherkasy, the sisters of mercy from the Sts Martha and Mary Sisterhood visited Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kaniv, who is currently under arrest, reports the press service of the Cherkasy Eparchy.

As reported by the press service, the UOC hierarch thanked the sisters of mercy for their assistance to those in need, despite the fact that the sisters were recently forcibly expelled from their temple in the 1st City Hospital of Cherkasy.

The sisters of mercy have been building this temple for 20 years together with the head and spiritual mentor of the sisterhood, Archpriest Oleksandr Smyk.

"Subjected to injustice, deprived of earthly 'support,' sharing grief and persecution with their archpastor, the Cherkasy sisters of mercy did not abandon their charitable work of love. The Sts Martha and Mary Sisterhood in Cherkasy, despite persecution, continues to do everything possible to make life easier for ordinary people who still need the Gospel message, kind words, material assistance, and free hot meals," the press service noted.

Metropolitan Theodosy expressed his gratitude to the sisters for their selfless work, awarded each sister with his Blessed Letter of Commendation, and presented them with sweet gifts.

The devoted members of the Sts Martha and Mary Sisterhood sang prayers for their archpastor's long life.

During the Great Lent of 2023, the Security Service of Ukraine notified Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkasy and Kaniv of suspicion under several articles of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. The Sosnovsky District Court of Cherkasy imposed a preventive measure on the hierarch – round-the-clock house arrest for 60 days with the mandatory wearing of an electronic bracelet. After the expiration of this period, the round-the-clock house arrest was extended by the court for the same duration. Metropolitan Theodosy does not admit his guilt, testifying in court and in his video appeals about bias and the fabrication of charges against him.

As reported, the authorities in Cherkasy took away the temple from the Sts Martha and Mary Sisterhood of Mercy.

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